Rockets sign ex-croc
Alan Kennedy | 16th February 2012
The Morning Bulletin
THINGS are hotting up for the Minecorp Rockhampton Rockets, with coach Neal Tweedy announcing his first major signing for the new season.
Former NBL star Brad Williamson is set to suit up for the Rockets. He brings a lot of experience, having played in the premiership-winning Brisbane Bullets team of 2007 and more recently with the Townsville Crocodiles.
At 197cm (6' 6") Williamson brings extra size to the team but that is not the only asset he provides.
"He is a phenomenal three-point shooter," Tweedy said. "After the season (2011) revue that was an area of concern.
"Hopefully he can do that for us.
"Brad is a shooter and perimeter-orientated."
Williamson, 30, was with the Townsville Crocodiles for three seasons from 2009-2011 and during that time had success from the three-point line on more than 30% of his attempts. His best record came in 2010, when he had a 44% success record.
Williamson is also no mug from the free throw mark, with a high success record from a sizeable number of attempts.
During his NBL career he also accumulated good court time and played in a large number of the teams' matches during the regular season.
Williamson comes in to take over from Stephen Weigh, who is not available for the coming season.
"Stephen is unavailable to us due to Boomers commitments and injury concerns," Tweedy said yesterday.
The signing of Williamson also provides a bonus, because he has not been involved in the NBL in the past season.
Last season he was a member of the Ipswich QBL team and therefore he comes to the Rockets without the classification of a restricted player.
That means Tweedy and the Rockets still have spots to fill for restricted players on the roster, something he intends to do soon.
"We are close to announcing our American imports," the Rockets coach said.
"First we are waiting for the draw to be finalised, as we have to look at their finishing date in Europe."
Williamson arrives in Rockhampton in two weeks and Tweedy said the Rockets had been fortunate to secure him employment through WeldPro.
"Without our sponsors finding employment it would be very difficult," he said.
Photo – Ian Hitchcock
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